Quick-set wrench



Oct. 27, 1925 1,559,328

J. H. LAGREID QUICK SET WRENQH Filed June 30, 1924 I172. [Jyrezii Patented Get. 27, 1925.

UNITED STATES JOHN H. LAGREID, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

QUICK-SET WRENCH.

Application filed June 30, 1924. Serial No. 723,381.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jonx H. Linanun, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of ashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Quick-Set ll'renches, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to llYlPlOYEBll'ltlltS in wrenches of the quick-adjusting type wherein the construction permits of ready adjustment through the use of but one hand and the parts are arranged tor association in a simple manner and tor construction at a con'iparatively low cost.

The invention also provides for the floating disposition of the sliding jaw relative to the tixed jaw, whereby more eti'ective gripping action may be had on the work.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation of the improved wrench,

Fig. 2 is a. transverse section on line of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line of Fig. l. and

Fig 4 is a view of the saddle developed.

The ii'nproved wrench comprises a handle 1 formed at one end with what will be termed a tixed jaw 2. having the usual ser rated face Ii. The jaw i2 is extended beyond the handle as at 4 and formed with a rco tangular aperture .5 to loosely receive the shank 6 ol a movable jaw 7. The extension 4 has a projection 8 to which is secured a leaf spring 9, which leaf spring extends through the aperture and bears at 10 upon the shank of the movable jaw. immediately below the fixed jaw, the handle 1 is formed with a recess 11 in which is seated a coil spring 12 bearing against a plug 1?), which bears upon the shank of the movable jaw in opposition to the spring 9. Slidahly mounted upon the handle 1 is what is termed a saddle 14, comprising side plates united by rivets 15 and having extensions which embrace and are pivotally connected at 16 to the lower end of the shank of the movable A locking member 17 is slidably mounted between the plates of the saddle and is provided with pins 18 which extend through slots 19 in the opposite faces of the saddle. The relatively inner edge of the locking member 17 is formed with teeth 20 to cooperate with teeth 21 formed on the approximate edge of the handle, the plates of the saddle being cut away at 22 to render the cooperation of these teeth visible. A spring 23 serves to normally hold the locking plate in locking cooperation with the teeth.

1n use it will be apparent that, by pressure upon the locking member. the latter will be caused to ride away from the teeth :21 due to the inclined slot 19, and hence free the sliding jaw and saddle from the tixed jaw and permit the necessary relative adjustment of these jaws at will. It the jaws are to be caused to approach each other, endwise pressure on the movable jaw against any stationary object will cause the teeth 20 and 21 to ride over each other rela' tively and permit the jaws to be moved together. A linger hold 2% may be applied to the saddle to atlord a finger grip during the manipulation of the locking member.

It will be noted that the sliding jaw is [loating with respect to the tixed jaw, as a result of the construction described, and hence turning pressure upon the handle 1 serves to increase the grip between the jaws.

A preferred manner of constructing a saddle ot' a single piece of material is illustrated in Fig. -l, wherein such material provides a base portion 25 which is extended at one end to form a tinger grip 3d, the side walls :37 ot' the saddle being integral with this base portion and extending upwardl therefrom at approximately right angles. The rear edges of these walls adjacent which the locking member is secured are each tori'ned with a tongue 28. which when the saddle is applied. is bent over the edge of the handle 1 to slidablv support the sad dle. The side walls of the saddle are formed with appropriate openings indi 'ated at 29 for mounting the various parts as previously described.

I claim:

A wrench having a handle portion, a fixed jaw arranged at one end of said per-- tion, a movable jaw having a shank slidably mounted in an opening in the fixed jaw immediately beyond the handle portion. a saddle slidably mounted upon the handle portion and having an extension pivotally connected to the free end of the shank of the movable jaw, one edge of the handle portion being formed with teeth, a locking member formed on one edge with teeth to cooperate with the teeth on the handle PM Lion, means carried by the saddle for guiding the locking member for movement at an angle to the plane of the handle portion, whereby to move the locking member into and out of cooperation with the teeth of the handle portion, a spring carried by the fixed jaw and bearing on the shank of the movable jaw above the fixed jaw, and spring means carried by the handle portion below the fixed jaw to engage the opposite side of the shank of the movable jaw.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN H. LAGREID. 

